News / National
Ncube blasts Mutambara
01 Mar 2011 at 05:08hrs | Views
Embattled new MDC leader Welshman Ncube has described former party president Arthur Mutambara as "(President Robert) Mugabe's puppet" and accused him of betraying his generation following his refusal to step down as Deputy Prime Minister and cede power to him.
Addressing party supporters at Garanyemba business centre in Gwanda last Saturday, Ncube said "Mutambara has betrayed the whole generation that had an obligation to show that politics can be done differently" by handing over power smoothly.
Mutambara was voted out as party leader at an MDC congress in January, but declined to step down arguing the elections were a nullity.
Ncube recently won an interim High Court order directing Mutambara not to masquerade as MDC president.
On Saturday, Ncube shot down President Mugabe's call for early polls saying the move was likely to violate provisions of the GPA.
"The GPA is the bible for the Government of National Unity and it spells out the roadmap for the GNU before elections can be held. There are items that have to be implemented like media and electoral reforms, constitution-making and even implementation of an economic recovery programme. However, (President) Mugabe says I don't care what is in the GPA. (President) Mugabe says he is tired of working with other parties (in government) and wants an election this year," said Ncube.
"It's like a man who puts a foundation of his house and walls but it remains without a roof and says I want to live in it exposing his family to the weather elements. The truth is we cannot have an election before the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement. We don't want to repeat the 2008 scenario. By having an election tomorrow, this year you are simply going back to the 2008 stalemate," he said.
However, the MDC leader said his party was not afraid of facing Zanu PF in an election.
"We have resolved as a party not to cede any space to Zanu PF by participating in all elections even if the conditions are unfair or the electoral field is not level," he said.
In an apparent reference to the situation in Libya and Egypt respectively, Ncube said other leaders who had clung to power for too long, had left unceremoniously in the last few weeks.
Addressing party supporters at Garanyemba business centre in Gwanda last Saturday, Ncube said "Mutambara has betrayed the whole generation that had an obligation to show that politics can be done differently" by handing over power smoothly.
Mutambara was voted out as party leader at an MDC congress in January, but declined to step down arguing the elections were a nullity.
Ncube recently won an interim High Court order directing Mutambara not to masquerade as MDC president.
On Saturday, Ncube shot down President Mugabe's call for early polls saying the move was likely to violate provisions of the GPA.
"It's like a man who puts a foundation of his house and walls but it remains without a roof and says I want to live in it exposing his family to the weather elements. The truth is we cannot have an election before the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement. We don't want to repeat the 2008 scenario. By having an election tomorrow, this year you are simply going back to the 2008 stalemate," he said.
However, the MDC leader said his party was not afraid of facing Zanu PF in an election.
"We have resolved as a party not to cede any space to Zanu PF by participating in all elections even if the conditions are unfair or the electoral field is not level," he said.
In an apparent reference to the situation in Libya and Egypt respectively, Ncube said other leaders who had clung to power for too long, had left unceremoniously in the last few weeks.
Source - Byo24NEWS
